U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Sunday threatened
sanctions against Japan if it does not stop whaling.

During a 90-minute meeting with Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, Albright
referred to the departure Saturday of a whaling fleet to conduct research
in the northern Pacific Ocean.

She called on the government to summon the vessels back, saying whales
are protected under U.S. law. Failure to do so would result in the United
States issuing a statement of criticism about Japan's whaling practices, a
Foreign Ministry official said.

Albright stressed that Washington would have no recourse but to take
sanctions against Japanese products unless Tokyo stops the research.

``We are deeply troubled by what is happening. Whether it's for
commercial or research purposes, it should not be happening,'' Albright
told reporters after the meeting.

Kono promised Albright he would relay her concerns to Prime Minister
Yoshiro Mori.